repeal

[ ri-peel ]

verb (used with object)

1. to revoke or withdraw formally or officially:

   to repeal a grant.

2. to revoke or annul (a law, tax, duty, etc.) by express legislative enactment; abrogate.

   Synonyms: invalidate, rescind, abolish, nullify

noun

1. the act of repealing; revocation; abrogation.

repeal

¹

/ rɪˈpiːl /

verb

1. to annul or rescind officially (something previously ordered); revoke

   these laws were repealed

2. obsolete.
   to call back (a person) from exile

noun

1. an instance or the process of repealing; annulment

Repeal

²

/ rɪˈpiːl /

noun

1. (esp in the 19th century) the proposed dissolution of the Union between Great Britain and Ireland

Derived Forms

• reˈpealable, adjective
• reˈpealer, noun

Other Words From

• re·peala·bili·ty re·peala·ble·ness noun
• re·peala·ble adjective
• re·pealer noun
• nonre·peala·ble adjective
• unre·peala·bili·ty noun
• unre·peala·ble adjective
• unre·pealed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repeal¹

1275–1325; Middle English repelen < Anglo-French repeler, equivalent to re- re- + ( a ) peler to appeal

Word History and Origins

Origin of repeal¹

C14: from Old French repeler , from re- + apeler to call, appeal

Example Sentences

It’s unclear how much sway Rios had on voters, but the endorsements appeared to violate a federal law from 1954 that prohibits religious organizations and nonprofits from endorsing or opposing political candidates, which President Trump may once again attempt to repeal amid Republican control of Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

They got close in 2016 when Trump vowed to repeal it.

From Los Angeles Times

A 2015 report by the Rand Corporation, put out four years after Barack Obama signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act, found that about 6 percent, or 120,000 service members, identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

From Salon

Trump also plans to roll back Biden’s efforts to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and repeal federal subsidies for solar, wind and other renewable energy projects — important parts of California’s drive to wean itself from fossil fuels.

From Los Angeles Times

But a full-scale repeal of Biden’s 2022 energy law could run into resistance from Republicans in Congress, because much of the program’s spending has flowed into GOP districts.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• cancel
• dismantle
• invalidate
• lift
• nullify
• rescind
• reverse
• revoke
• set aside
• void
• wipe out
• withdraw